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About Our Chamber

WHY DIDN’T THEY CALL IT THE COMMERCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?How the Commerce Industrial Council got its name…

In 1957, the plant managers of major industries in this area were meeting pretty regularly to help one another solve a new problem. That new problem was that of avoiding annexation by neighboring Montebello and Downey of all or part of the unincorporated area which lay between those two cities and the boundaries of Vernon and the City of Los Angeles. Montebello and Downey had become interested in annexing the area because of its rapid post-war industrial development and because of the 1955 uniform sales tax act which returned 1% sales and use tax to the city in which the sale occurred.

The industrial leaders didn’t want to be annexed to either community, primarily because they would lose highly-prized Los Angeles County Fire and Police protection, and during the 1955-59 period, they defeated a dozen or more attempts at annexation. Finally, in 1959, the industrial group decided to sponsor the incorporation of a new city, and began talk about it with the 8,500 residents at the time of Bandini and Rosewood Park, Gage Avenue, and the Freeway Tract. Before long, there was general agreement between the residents and the committee of industrialists that the outstanding characteristic of the new city was its economic potential and that it should be named accordingly.

Well, they couldn’t name it the “City of Industry” because that city had already been incorporated out in the San Gabriel Valley. Besides, “Commerce” more clearly showed both the manufacturing aspect and the tremendous sales potential of the area. And so, the committee of industrialists was incorporated in November of 1959 to sponsor the incorporation of the City of Commerce and they chose for a name “The Industrial Council of the City of Commerce” because that name pays tribute to the tremendous concentration of industry and commerce which vitalizes our wonderful community.

The Articles of Incorporation of The Industrial Council say that it will “engage in all lawful activities and operations usually and normally engaged in by a chamber of commerce or business league,” but its members have grown to expect much more than that from the Commerce Industrial Council.

CHAMBER HISTORY

Since 1959, the Commerce Industrial Council, a chamber of commerce, has helped hundreds of businesses take root in the City of Commerce. It has been the voice of business since incorporation of the city. Determined to avoid higher property taxes that annexation to any neighboring city might bring, a hardy band of business leaders and residents set out in 1959 to incorporate the land as the 67th city in Los Angeles County. These volunteers proclaimed their intention to establish a “Model City” with unique advantages for industry and residents alike. The Citizens Committee for Incorporation called the new oasis in the East Los Angeles region the City of Commerce. After a petition drive, public hearings, and an election early in 1960, the City of Commerce became a dream realized.

Once the City incorporated, business people found a low-tax, pro-business environment with no municipal property tax and no utility taxes. A high level of police and fire services continued, provided by the county under contract. The grass-roots tax revolt, with a new City Council and staff, set a tone of cooperation few businesses found in any other city.

Today, the Commerce Industrial Council has helped hundreds of businesses take root in our Model City. Much of the effort of the Commerce Industrial Council continues in business advocacy. As a business resident, you have, undoubtedly, moved from a city which imposed taxes, to our “No Tax” City. There is no UTILITY USERS TAX; no PAYROLL TAX; no GROSS RECEIPTS TAX, etc. The Commerce Industrial Council is proud to have made significant contributions leading to the many benefits that you receive today.

Think of the Commerce Industrial Council as a Member of Your Management Team…

Often times, Chamber Members ask the Commerce Industrial Council to appear before the city council and commissions to assist in certain projects or business developments. City council members and commissioners are acquainted with representatives of the Commerce Industrial Council and will listen to, and consider our suggestions and positions. We can help you understand the rules and will appear before the city council and various commissions and committees on your behalf, when you become a member of the Commerce Industrial Council.

We have nearly 50 years of experience representing a vast variety of businesses and industry in Commerce and our surrounding communities in the great Los Angeles region. Let us help you GROW your business toward a positive future!!

Click on the link below or call today to get educated, know your possibilities, and JOIN the fastest growing organization in the greater southeast Los Angeles area.